Self-sealing closure for containers



Feb. 17, 1948. L.. H. DANIEL 2,436,291

SELF-SEALING CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS I I Filed Jun'e 25, 194e Ew/5v H. DAN/EL.'

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vPatented Feb. 17,1948 A.

AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,436,291 Y SELF-SEALING cLoSUaE Fon CONTAINERS Lewis n. Daniel, Annapolis, Ma.

Application June 25, 1946. Serial No. 679,189

i s claims. (ci. en -4s) absorbent applicator, brush bristles;` or the like. A

may be wiped of excess liquid or semi-solid material and pointed or shaped after receiving a supply of material and especially as it is removed therefrom. 1

A prime object is to embody such a means in a self-sealing closure for the supply container, thus to enable'access to its contents without necessitating removal or adjustment of the closure, minimum contamination and oxidation of the supply, to enable shaking without removal of the closure and to prevent spilling if overturned.

Another object is to provide a structure which contains the advantages set forth, comprising a plurality of diaphragms in juxtaposed relation, and each of which has a slit, with the slits of the different diaphragms in intersecting relation.

A further object is to provide a. construction A wherein the diaphragms are elastic so as to read.

ily dilate to accommodate passage of the applicator pledget or brush bristles therethrough and automatically close as such pledget or bristles arewithdrawn in order to squeeze excess material therefrom and to point such pledget or bristle's.

Various additional objects will be hereinafter pointed out and otherwise become apparent as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment by way of example.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of said device taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through a container with the invention in operative position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a container employing the invention and showing an instrument carrying a pledget in the -act of obtaining an application of liquid or semi-solid; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 taken through a modified form. l

Referring specifically to the drawings wherei like reference characters designate like or similar parts throughout the different views, and flrst'to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, the device employs a plurality of juxtaposed diaphragms at I0, each of which has a slit cut therethrough atv II. Said diaphragms may be made from elastic natural or synthetic rubber or any substitute therefor, or any plastic or equivaient material to the end that the slits are normally closed and will at all times seek a closed and ferred. Such diaphragms are secured to each other in any desired manner and -as best shownl in Figures 1 to 3, they are joined and reinforced 'by outer peripheral rings I2V and an intermediate ring- I 3 preferably, but not necessarily, of the same material as the diaphragms I0. These rings are bonded by any suitable adhesive or otherwise secured to the diaphragms where they contact Vthe latter. If desired, the rings I2 and I3 may even be made of a hard rubber, hard plastic,.wood, metal, or otherwise. The device of Figures 1 and 2 is preferably fastened across the mouth of a container it and clamped .in place thereon by a conventional cap I3 which may, be screwthreaded or otherwise fastened in place at I6, or

even frictionally secured in place, the cap having a central opening as at II.V With a view to minimizing danger of tearing of the slits II when dilating, the diaphragms preferably have integral enlargements or reinforcements at the terminals of the slits as at 20.

In use, any type of applicator, such as that shown at I8, vmay be passed through the crossed or intersecting slits I I into the container Il in order to obtain a supply of the liquid or semisolid contents on a Dledget of cotton, bristles or the like at I9, after which the applicator I8 is withdrawn, during which withdrawal the slits under the contractual and self-closing action of the4 material ofl the diaphragm successively squeeze the element I9,Y removing any excess of material therefrom and shaping or pointing it. The material of the diaphragm readily enables the dilation in the presence of the applicator I8 and automatic closingas it is removed therefrom. Itis to be understood that the applicator I8 is to be 'taken as general, since it may represent a stick of wood, metal, a probe, tweezers, pliers, brush or otherwise; and that the element I9 is also to be taken as representative of a pledget of cotton or any other absorbent or similar material, bru'sh bristles or otherwise.

When the cap I5 is in place, it will be realized that the container is fully closed and sealed against escape of its contents keven if the same should be overturned; and, further, that the ma terial within the container is enclosed against contamination yand undue oxidation; and further, that such contents may be shaken without removal of the closure. l

made in the claims to a pledget it is intended to' cover such articles as brush bristles and absorbent applicators of any character.

Various changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, and, for instance, I may resort to the construction disclosed in Figure 5, wherein the diaphragms 2I are of the identical construction of those shown at IU and contain the identical slits and arrangement at 22 to those disclosed at I I. In lieu oi employing the rings I 2 and I3. they are omitted and the diaphragme` 2I bonded or otherwise secured together at 25 adjacent their periphery. The container at 23 and cap at 24 correspond to those at I4 and I5, respectively.

I claim:

1. Means i'or squeezing and pointing a. pledget comprising superposed closely positioned?. elastic diaphragms, each diaphragm having aslit and the slits of the diierent diaphragms being in transverse relation.

2. Means for squeezing and pointing a pledget comprising superposed closelypositioned rubber diaphragms, each diaphragm having a slit and the slits of the diierent diaphragme, being in transverse relation. I

3. Means for squeezing and pointing a pledget comprising superposed closely positioned elastic diaphragms, each` diaphragm having a slit and the slits of the diii'erent diaphragms being in transverse relation, and means securing the diaphragms together adjacent their margins to form a unitary device.

4. Means for squeezing and pointing a pledge comprising superposed closely positioned elastic cliaphragmsI each diaphragm having a slit and the slits oi the different diaphragms being in transverse relation, and reinforcing means on the diaphragms adjacent the ends of the slits.

5. Means for squeezing and pointing a pledget comprising superposed closely positioned elastic diaphragms, each diaphragm having a slit and the slits of the dierent diaphragms being in transverse relation, and means integral with the aasaaer l diaphragms for increasing the thickness of the diaphragms adjacent the ends of the slits.

6. Means for squeezing and pointing a pledget comprising superposed closely positioned elastic diaphragms, each diaphragm having a slit and the slits of the diierent diaphragme being in transverse relation, and annular means securing the diaphragms together adjacent the margins thereof.

' 7. In a device of the character described, a container, a self-sealing closure therefor comprising a cap removably.,mounted on the container and having a relatively large opening therein dening an annular ange overlying the upper edge oi' the container, and at least two superpgsed closely positioned elastic diaphragms having their marginal edges secured together to form a unit with the unit clamped between the upper edge of the container and the annular flange on the cap, said` diaphragms being centrally slit with the respective'slits4 arranged in transverse relation.

8. Means for squeezing and pointing a piedget comprising superposed closely positioned elastic diaphragms, each diaphragm having a slit and the slits of the different diaphragms being in transverse relation, means securing the dia.-V phragms together adjacent their margins to form aunitary device and a cap having a central opening therein for retaining the unitary device on the open upper end of a container.

LEWIS H. DANIEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 204,625 Silsbee June 4, 1878 1,857,015 Gere May 3, 1932 1,865,764 Keenan July 5, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Countryl Date 104,862 Australia Aug. 17, 1938 

